Whether you're the world's biggest Super Smash Bros. fan, or someone who doesn't have the slightest clue what's happening when watching its manic action, it's easy to agree that the design and development that goes into each title in the series is pretty phenomenal. Some might even go as far as to call it a "miracle" and, as it turns out, that's exactly what the series' director thinks, too.

Ever since the very first Smash game, the series' development has been led by Masahiro Sakurai, a well-loved developer and game director who is also responsible for the Kirby franchise and odd hits like Kid Icarus: Uprising. Sakurai's use of the word "miracle" comes from an interview with Game Informer, where he reflects on each game's development process and the trickiness of dealing with so many different IP holders.

"You may not sense that, but it is actually a miracle every time we’re able to create a Smash Bros. game. It’s a bit different from any other game series that regularly comes out with new installments. Unless we get approval from all of the I.P. holders who are involved in this game, we can’t make this game. And every time, we are walking a fine line."

He also goes on to talk about how the late Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has helped the series to become what it is today. He notes that Iwata built a team and structure to fit around Sakurai specifically, clearly seeing him as the key element to the series' creation.

"Especially after I left HAL Laboratories, normally, games continued to be developed by the remaining company. But instead, Mr. Iwata created a development team centered on the director who became freelance. That was his call.

Without that decision, I can easily imagine that we could not release this Super Smash Bros. Ultimate in the best possible shape at this point."

Are the Super Smash Bros. games up there with your favourite games of all time? Do you love the passion and quality that ooze from each title? Let us know in the comments below.

Ryan’s that annoying kind of guy in multiplayer games - you know the one, the kind of person that throws a temper tantrum if he can’t be Yoshi in Mario Kart or gets stuck with the controller with the dodgy button. Yeah, that kind.

Is it not possible for everyone to stop spewing vitriol at this man for not putting their favorite niche JRPG protagonist or Mario side character in the game and appreciate the gargantuan effort he's taken to make us, the fans, happy? Sakurai has put his heart and soul into this game, creating the largest roster in series history, including fan favorites and creative newcomers, over a hundred epic stages, and what seem to be the best single player modes in the series yet. It really is a miracle that he can create these incredible experiences, and let's hope we can let him know how much he's appreciated despite the trolls.

Totally miracle indeed! Super grateful for Sakurai, his team and Mr. Iwata, [rest in peace Mr. Iwata], for all they do for the Smash series!Ultimate is looking to be the best one yet. CANT WAIT FOR DECEMBER 7th!!!!!

I feel so bad for him sometimes for having to deal with his ungrateful fanbase. He puts his hardest into these games and making sure most fighters people want get in, Yet most of the time fans just start asking and whining for the next character they want or that hasn't gotten in Instead of appreciating what he's already given them. Hes a legend and the work he does should be appreciated way more then it is.

Sakurai is a legend. “Miracle” is the only word to describe a game where Cloud, Bayonetta, PAC-MAN, Simon, Mega Man, Sonic, Snake, and Isabelle can beat each other up at the same time in Electroplankton (And Isabelle can win!).

As much as I admire his work, I can't wait for this game to be released, but only that I can finally read other head lines than "smash blablabla". It's as worse as Fortnite news over at game spot. All this hype actually makes me not want to play this game. It's impossible to meet the expectations.So fingers crossed the smash news stream will run dry short after release!

There are so many details I appreciate about the games that even if something isn't there, the sheer amount of effort put into something else that is makes up for it.

Even for something as mundane as the announcement of a new character, they treat it like something much bigger. So then as a result...it feels like it. The choreography, the animation, the detail....it's all phenomenal.

@Trajan I was actually referring to Isaac from Golden Sun and Geno from Super Mario RPG, both of whom are hardly relevant characters nowadays but still super popular candidates for Smash. I think Xenoblade isn't exactly 'niche' anymore, at least not among Nintendo fans.

I'm so grateful for all his hard work over the years making these amazing games that I cherish fondly.I really hope ultimate is his swansong and he gets the much deserved rest he has most definitely earned. The guy has sacrificed so much for his craft and I think now is the time for him to move forward and concentrate on himself and his own ambitions.

That is why I feel like this will be the last smash. Or at least in this form. Too much business red tape. And without Iwata-denka to go to bat for it short of the next one scaling back to go Nintendo only not sure what is next.

That being said it is amazing the work he and his teams have put into this franchise. It isn’t easy taking disparate characters, many that he had no contact with otherwise, distill them into a genre most are not from and they still feel like these characters. I would love to see him do a fighting game on his own (smash is a party brawler). I would like to see him take a vacation first though.

We don't deserve Sakurai. Especially those fools who harass his Twitter feed just coz a Maro side character or some old rpg character didn't make it. People need to grow up and be grateful we're getting so much content.

As for the majority of the Smash community, we're all itching for December 7

@Kalmaro You can tell that he really loves his work and the dedication he puts in each entry in the series. Iwata wouldn't have created the team centered around Sakurai if Iwata himself didn't see the care Sakurai puts into Smash.